Figure 1.--

Scotland was and is famous for its dancing, and the variety of dance styles is testimony to the richness of the Scottish dance heritage. Higland dancers have many different choices as to what to perform. The Highland Fling is perhaps the best known Highland dance. It originated as wild dance of triumph following victory in battle. It is said to be inspired by the capers of the stag, the dancer's upraised arms representing the animals antlers. The hornpipe is a special dance requiring a special sailor costume. Reels are dances performed by four dancers to a lively tempo. The dancers intertwine to indicate the graceful movements of the deer in the valley. Seann Truibhas is Gaelic for "old trousers." After the unsuccessful rebellion of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745, the British forbade the wearing of the kilt. The shaking movements of the leg indicate the shaking off of the hated trousers. Like the Highland Fling, the Sword Dance, or Ghillie Chalium has war as its basic scheme. Today it is both picturesque and popular at Highland Games.

The Highland Fling

The Highland Fling originated as wild dance of triumph following victory in battle. It is said to be inspired by the capers of the stag, the dancer's upraised arms representing the animals antlers. Danced vigorously and exultantly, it is now highly stylized and calls for the greatest skill in technique and exactness of timing. Despite the variety of steps, it should, for example, be danced throughout in the same position on the board, perhaps because originally the Highland Fling was said to have been done on the shield of the clansman. It has become the classic solo dance at m odern competitive dancing events, and is often selected at competitions to decide who will be judged the best Highland dancer of the day.

Hornpipe

The hornpipe is a special dance requiring a special sailor costume.

Reels

Reels are dances performed by four dancers to a lively tempo. The dancers intertwine to indicate the graceful movements of the deer in the valley. There are actual four types of reels: the Strathspey and Highland Reel; The Strathspey and Reel of Tulloch; the Strathspey and Highland Reel and Reel of Tulloch; and the Hulluchan. They are all very similar. These are the only Highland Dances danced by one than one person: they are danced by a team of four. The four weave in and out in a figure-of-eight pattern, sometimes performing what it called a propell-pivot, the forerunner of the square-dancing dosey-doe. This dance was performed in a church aisle to keep warm on cold winter mornings (or cold summer mornings).

Seann Truibhas

Seann Truibhas is Gaelic for "old trousers." After the unsuccessful rebellion of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745, the British forbade the wearing of the kilt. The shaking movements of the leg indicate the shaking off of the hated trousers. The end of the dance is similiar to the Highland Fling to show the Scotsman joy in the return to the kilt.

Sword Dance

Like the Highland Fling, the Sword Dance, or Ghillie Chalium has war as its basic scheme. Today it is both picturesque and popular at Highland Games; legend has it that in older times it was danced on the eve of battle, and that for the soldier to touch or displace the sword portened evil in the comping fight. There are many other theories regarding the origin of the Sword Dance, and one of the most attractive of these is that which tells how the great Malcolm Canmore, after having defeated one of MacBeth's chiefs at the Battle of Dunsinane in 1054, seized his opponents sword, placing it over his own to form a cross, over which he danced triumphantly to the wild music of the pipes.

Created: December 9, 2001
Last updated: December 9, 2001